Electrical Ques. If I can help someone I will...

kushmonster

Well-Known Member
Digital ballasts are not multi-tap in the traditional sense.. You can use either the 240v cord or the 120v cord. The higher the voltage,the lower the amperage. Yes, running 240v is cheaper than 120v. Whether you'll be able to see any savings with one light is questionable. The more lights you are using the more you'll save.:peace:

SmokenGirl....... If that was a dedicated circuit (only thing on the circuit) you would be ok, but the chances of that are practically nil. More than likely all or at least half your lights are on that circuit.:peace:
whats code for residential 10 recepticales per circuit right??(not including kitchen)
 

primeralives

Well-Known Member
if i attach aligator clips to the end of an extention cord and hook them up to my nipples... will i suffer any long term damage?
 

UserFriendly

New Member
Who said anything about about wiring a 120v ballast 240v?? and no big deal I dont wear panties, like to free ball:peace:
Dude when I said multi tap, that means it can be wired either way, all H.I.D lighting that has a seperate ballast, igniter, and compaciter can be wired 120/240 or 120/240/277/480 you dig??:peace:
I just want the process to be as trouble-free as it can for FloJo is all. He said he's already bought the ballasts (they're on the way), but there was no question in regards to the voltage of said ballasts.

well im not sure what gauge the wires are, i will be using the lumatek 600w digis, they are on the way. but running them at 120v... 600w/120v is 5 amps per light... 3 lights on the 20 amp circuit is 15 amps, so you say it will trip... however if i could find a way to run them at 240v, like hooking up a 240v outlet with three hookups that would be 2.5 amps per light or 7.5 amps total... right?

on the 15 amp circuit i still plan on only running one 600w plus all the pups and fans ect..
Do you see what I mean? Don't help this person run a 240v line if he's already bought 120v ballasts............. is all.
 

whutsupevry1

Well-Known Member
If you have a 400 watt metal halide light ballast and reflector (older crappy one) and I put a hps bulb what will happen?
 

kushmonster

Well-Known Member
It's NOT a receptacle circuit. They said it is a light,with a receptacle on it (commonly seen in bathrooms). It is on the lighting circuit.:peace:
Simple misunderstanding, and im sure that I would have been corrected when they read the reply, Im greatful that there is another sparky in the house.... and I know I dont know it all, but it seems like your one of those that do, its cool to put heads together and help people out in here, but dont come in here with the attitude, like some of the guys I have to deal with in my company on an every day basis, you know the guys with 20+ in that act like their shit dont stink, now If that isnt the case "my bad" :peace: Just trying to help people out thats all brother.... And by all means the more people to help the better:blsmoke:
 

kushmonster

Well-Known Member
If you have a 400 watt metal halide light ballast and reflector (older crappy one) and I put a hps bulb what will happen?
Unfourtunatly it will not work, that ballast is strictly for a 400watt MH, I think it has something to do with the filament in the bulb that differs from MH to HPS and Merc. Vapors, they do have conversion ballsts now that will support both bulbs MH/HPS.
 

kushmonster

Well-Known Member
I just want the process to be as trouble-free as it can for FloJo is all. He said he's already bought the ballasts (they're on the way), but there was no question in regards to the voltage of said ballasts.



Do you see what I mean? Don't help this person run a 240v line if he's already bought 120v ballasts............. is all.
OK let try to get beyond this, flo said he is running 3=600w at 5amps each, 15amp total on a 20amp breaker, kinda pushing the envelope, like spark said breakers will handle 80% of their load, which would be 16amps, I really wouldnt be pushing it imo, then he asked about running it 240v so he can lower the amperage...any ballast thats over A certain wattage(250watt I think) can be wired 120v OR 240v, when you start getting into the higer wattage ballasts (400 plus) they also have a multi tap ballast, which means it can be wired either 120v,240v,277v,or 480v:peace:
 

smokeh

Well-Known Member
how do i know or tell that i need to use a ballast? i dont have any equipment yet as im in the process of looking / buying.

i will be buyin 2x150W CFL's 6400k spectrum's for my grow process, and 2x150W CFL's 2700k spectrum for flowering. (these 2 stages are in different 'rooms')

i dont know if id need to control current flow?

any other info on setting up lighting for my 1st grow would be good as well. thanks
 

spark1

Well-Known Member
Simple misunderstanding, and im sure that I would have been corrected when they read the reply, Im greatful that there is another sparky in the house.... and I know I dont know it all, but it seems like your one of those that do, its cool to put heads together and help people out in here, but dont come in here with the attitude, like some of the guys I have to deal with in my company on an every day basis, you know the guys with 20+ in that act like their shit dont stink, now If that isnt the case "my bad" :peace: Just trying to help people out thats all brother.... And by all means the more people to help the better:blsmoke:
Actually, I have 25+ years in the trade so my shit not only doesn't stink,it absorbs odors like a carbon filter.:hump: Sorry if you took offense. It's your thread and I wasn't trying to hijack it. :peace:
 

kushmonster

Well-Known Member
Like I said bro if both of us could help people in here, I have'nt the slightist problem with that in any way, lol on the carbon filter:peace:
 

kushmonster

Well-Known Member
how do i know or tell that i need to use a ballast? i dont have any equipment yet as im in the process of looking / buying.

i will be buyin 2x150W CFL's 6400k spectrum's for my grow process, and 2x150W CFL's 2700k spectrum for flowering. (these 2 stages are in different 'rooms')

i dont know if id need to control current flow?

any other info on setting up lighting for my 1st grow would be good as well. thanks
No you dont need a ballst to run CFLS.:peace:
 

UserFriendly

New Member
OK let try to get beyond this, flo said he is running 3=600w at 5amps each, 15amp total on a 20amp breaker, kinda pushing the envelope, like spark said breakers will handle 80% of their load, which would be 16amps, I really wouldnt be pushing it imo, then he asked about running it 240v so he can lower the amperage...any ballast thats over A certain wattage(250watt I think) can be wired 120v OR 240v, when you start getting into the higer wattage ballasts (400 plus) they also have a multi tap ballast, which means it can be wired either 120v,240v,277v,or 480v:peace:
Then why do they sell 120v versions and separate 240v versions? Maybe you could learn a bit about the product before you go preaching its capabilities?
Google I'm done with you.
 

paddy510

Well-Known Member
Then why do they sell 120v versions and separate 240v versions? Maybe you could learn a bit about the product before you go preaching its capabilities?
Google I'm done with you.


like kushmonster said, a lot of ballasts have the option to change the voltage by changing where the wires are soldered to the transformer in the ballast.
not everyone knows how to solder and it could be dangerous so they sell 120v and separate 240v versions so you dont have to change where the wires are attached to choose the voltage yourself.
some come with a switch for choosing the voltage.
 

ORECAL

Well-Known Member
I've been a member here for almost a month now and I see alot of people asking electrical questions...

I've been an Electrician for about 10yrs now so if someone has a question pertaining to electrical or wiring, I'll be happy to help if I can

I got one......... where do you live? I have so much electrical issues with my house..... lights that don't work but supposedly did when we moved in, just bullshit stuff that I know nothing about....... and need a weed friendly electrician to come take a look at it..........



I know it's not possible........ just venting..... sorry.
 

Ebil

Active Member
Sorry guys been pretty busy, OK to answer your question about the computer fan If were on the same page Im assuming your refering to the little blower fans that are inside the towers, those are low voltage here is a thread I found to wire the fan to a cell phone charger, hope it helps:peace:

https://www.rollitup.org/grow-room-design-setup/48068-diy-wiring-fans.html

after that just use a power strip...
Woah, luckily I have like 4 chargers laying around my room. THANKS!
 

BigBudBalls

Well-Known Member
how do i know or tell that i need to use a ballast? i dont have any equipment yet as im in the process of looking / buying.

i will be buyin 2x150W CFL's 6400k spectrum's for my grow process, and 2x150W CFL's 2700k spectrum for flowering. (these 2 stages are in different 'rooms')

i dont know if id need to control current flow?

any other info on setting up lighting for my 1st grow would be good as well. thanks
Put the plug down slowly and nobody gets hurt.

Go buy a complete lighting setup. Questions like that scare me.

CFL grow? just talk to the idiots at Deep Homo.
 

BigBudBalls

Well-Known Member
Then why do they sell 120v versions and separate 240v versions? Maybe you could learn a bit about the product before you go preaching its capabilities?
Google I'm done with you.
Scarey! I've SO many items that are 120/240 compatible by just plugging them in. Others have a switch. A multi-tap transformer is a *rather* common item.

I have seen *many* multi tap transformers that can handle the voltages he stated. Even ones that can convert Delta to Wye on trip phase.

But since UF says it, it must be true. An item can *only* work on one voltage. No chance of it working on a different with a slight configuration change. (so multi-tap transformers now, poof!!, disappear from the face of the earth.)
 
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